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INDIANAPOLIS -- Patriots free-agent-to-be Sebastian Vollmer had his right knee scoped on Wednesday in what a league source termed routine post-season maintenance.

The knee was the reason why Vollmer struggled so much down the stretch, not his back, which the team is fine with after a procedure last offseason.

Before missing the Week 12 game against the Jets, Vollmer was arguably the best right tackle in the league as he allowed just one sack and 14 total quarterback pressures.

In the final seven games, including playoffs, Vollmer allowed 5.5 sacks and 23 total pressures.

The surgery, first reported by the Boston Herald, was considered minor, especially for an offensive lineman, and won't affect negotiations between Vollmer, the Patriots and the rest of the league should he become a free agent.

The Patriots could use the franchise tag to retain Vollmer, but that is considered unlikely -- though not out totally of the question -- according to two league sources.